Wesley House seeks foster parents as demand rises in Monroe County

Monroe County’s child welfare agency is urging island residents to consider opening their homes as licensed foster parents, citing a persistent shortage that limits placement options for children in need. Grace Epperly of Wesley House Family Services outlined the agency’s programs and the steps required to become a foster home, and organizers are scheduling a Jan. 29 information session for residents interested in learning more.

Wesley House administers a range of family-support and prevention services across the Keys, including foster care licensing, Healthy Families Monroe—a prenatal and early-childhood support program—and the Inez Martin preschool in Key West. The agency emphasized that foster licensing involves required training and background checks designed to ensure child safety and to prepare families for the responsibilities of foster care.

The information session on Jan. 29 is aimed at prospective foster parents and will cover the licensing process, training expectations, and the timeline for background screenings. Residents who are curious about fostering but unsure where to start are encouraged to attend the session or contact Wesley House directly to discuss eligibility, household requirements, and support services available to foster families.

Wesley House also outlined upcoming community fundraising events intended to support its programs and recruited volunteers to help sustain services. Planned efforts include a Valentine’s Gala and a Keys-wide online auction; both are presented as opportunities for local residents and businesses to contribute financially and to increase community awareness about child welfare needs in the county.

The shortage of licensed foster homes has practical consequences for Monroe County families and children. When local capacity is strained, the county’s ability to place children with nearby caregivers can be limited, complicating efforts to preserve school continuity, family ties, and community support networks. Expanding the pool of local foster parents can help keep children closer to their neighborhoods, schools, and extended families.

For Monroe County residents weighing whether to help, the next steps are clear: attend the Jan. 29 information session, reach out to Wesley House Family Services for details on training and background checks, or participate in upcoming fundraising events to bolster local programs. Strengthening the county’s foster capacity will require time, training and community buy-in, but officials say broader participation would directly affect the wellbeing of children and families across the Keys.